LaPorte County- On Saturday (6/24/2023) morning at approximately 8:37 a.m., troopers were dispatched to the area of I-94 eastbound at the 36.4 mile-marker to investigate a two-vehicle crash. This location is 2 miles east of the Michigan City exit at U.S. 421.
Preliminary investigation shows that a white 2023 Kia had become disabled in the inside shoulder emergency lane. It was parked and had its hazard lights activated. The driver of the Kia had contacted roadside service for the vehicle and was waiting for its arrival.
A gray 2017 Dodge Journey, driven by Jol Ranay Taylor, 41, from Muscatine, IA, was traveling eastbound when it left the travel lanes, and drove on the inside shoulder where it struck the Kia at a high rate of speed. The force of the collision pushed the Kia into the center lane of the interstate where it burst into flames. The driver of the Kia, Nirmit Alkesh Patel, 29, from Apex, NC, was able to force open the driver’s door and escape. Three occupants remained trapped inside the Kia and were unable to escape.
The driver of the Dodge and his two passengers were not injured. Chemical tests for intoxication were administered to the drivers, which is standard procedure and required by law in fatal crashes. The results of those tests are pending analysis by the Indiana Department of Toxicology.
The deceased have been identified as Alkesh Patel, 58, from Apex, NC, Hina Alkesh Patel, 54, from Apex, NC, and Aditi Nirmit Patel, 30, from Apex, NC.
The interstate was closed for several hours for crash reconstruction and vehicle removal. Assisting at the scene were the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office, INDOT, LaPorte County Coroner, Coolspring Twp. Fire Department, LaPorte County EMS, and the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit.